Got the February Blues? Here’s How to Beat Them!

Remember the first time it snowed this year, and you marveled once again at how beautiful everything looked covered in white? We love the first snowfall, but after enduring the cold and shoveling for weeks, Canadians are tired of the cold and pine for warmer climes. When the weather drops a fresh layer of powder on your driveway in February, your excitement is visibly absent.

February is traditionally a month when a lot of people get the blues, not only because winter feels like it may never end, but also because many people struggle to repay holiday bills and are tired of feeling cooped up indoors. If your energy and spirits are lagging, here are some tips to get through this month.

Stay Active

You might not want to go to the gym or a fitness class, but it can help improve your spirits if you put on your workout clothes and sweat. Just because you can’t run outside without risking frostbite, doesn’t mean you should neglect your health. Exercise releases endorphins which will help you feel better. If you’re bored with your routine, try something you’ve never done before like yoga, Pilates, or rock climbing. You can even use the cold weather to your advantage by participating in winter sports. Skating, skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing are all fun ways to get your blood pumping and stay warm outdoors. Or let your inner child out and go tobogganing or build a snowman! The important thing is to get outdoors and be active.

Take Control

If you’re feeling like your finances are out of control because of holiday overspending, then the simple act of creating a plan to repay your bills can help you feel better. The first thing you should do is get all your bills out and calculate how much you owe. Then, take a look at your budget and find places where you can cut back in order to fast track your debt repayment. Taking control of your bills can help reduce stress levels and end the nightmares you’ve been having over your holiday spending. You’ll sleep like a baby. While you’re getting your finances in order – start planning now to make sure you don’t overspend next year.

Be Social

While there might not be a lot to do in February in your community, reach out to friends and family to get together for coffee, a movie, or dinner. If you’re sick of doing the same things, do something out of the ordinary like meet up for high tea or take a cooking class. The most important thing is that you connect with others. Making jokes with friends and loved ones about how much you hate shoveling snow can help get you through the next time you have to shovel.

Get Away

Just because it’s winter here, doesn’t mean it’s winter everywhere, so consider fleeing from the snow. See if you can get a great deal on last minute travel to someplace sunny. If you’re not able to take time off work, consider going on a weekend trip somewhere close by. Just travelling someplace new can help raise your spirits. If it’s too late to get away this year, be proactive and start planning a February trip next year, when you know you’ll need it.

While the February blues can feel overwhelming, remind yourself while trying one of these tips that spring is just around the corner. Pretty soon, the snow and ice will melt and everything will start to bud and grow again. Then you can shed all those frumpy layers and enjoy the sun on your skin again.

Amanda Reaume writes about retirement planning and investing. Her work has appeared on sites like Forbes, Yahoo! Finance, Time, and FoxBusiness.

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